Nikki and Brie Bella are changing their names after leaving WWE

Nikki Bella and Brie Bella announced on March 14 that they are officially parting ways with the WWE and dropping their stage names. From now on, the 39-year-old reality stars will go by their birth names, Nikki Garcia and Brie Garcia—or the newly minted Garcia Twins—as they duo revealed on their SiriusXM podcast The Nikki and Brie Show.

"When our contract came up with WWE," Nikki explained on the March 14 episode, "mutually we all knew we just needed to head into this new chapter."

Brie took a minute to honor her wrestling ring persona. "I just want to thank Brie Bella—Brie Bella the character, the name, all of it that I have been the last 16, 17 years," she noted. "I am so excited to close that chapter on Brie Bella, put that book to the side and open up a news one—and see what Brie Garcia is gonna do next."

Nikki echoed her sister's sentiments and said she's "so beyond grateful for Nikki Bella."

"She empowered me, she inspired me, she truly made me become fearless," the Nikki Bella Says I Do star shared with fans. "And the road that she has paved and what she's done for women and the youth—and will continue to do—just as Nikki Garcia."